Delta pushes Psych Tech program

Delta College has been promised more than $1.3 million from the state to train Psychiatric Technicians from Oct. 2011 to Sept. 2014.

The college hopes to train about 270 Psychiatric Technicians who will have job opportunities at the new California Health Care Facility, Stockton.

“Delta’s program is the only one in the Central Valley. We’re thinking that after students get their certificate of completion and pass the state licensing examination, they will be good [to get a job],” said John Schaeffer, an Associate Professor for Delta’s Psychiatric Technician Program.

Psychiatric Technicians are health professionals who help care for those with mental disabilities. Students who earn their certificate of completion from Delta’s rigorous program and then pass the state licensing examination can earn up to $60,000 a year.

“For the time it takes to get through this one year program, the pay is great,” said Schaeffer.

The new San Joaquin County prison hospital is scheduled to open in December.

It will be a 1.4 million square foot, 54-building hospital on a 200-acre property.

It will hold 1,722 inmate-patients at a time and will employ 2,500 people.

The hospital is currently hiring Psychiatric Technicians.

“If you enjoy being around people and helping people, it’s a great opportunity,” said Schaeffer.